Social Service Worker II

Final date to receive applications: 6/28/2026 (8:00 PM EDT)

Job : 2603047

Title: Social Service Worker II

Pay Grade: 15

Salary: $61,095.36 annually

Employment Type: Executive Branch | Full Time | Eligible for Overtime Pay | 18A | 37.5 hr/week

Location: 495 Forest Hills Drive, Morehead, KY 40351, USA

Hiring Agency: Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi‑faceted agency that serves juveniles of the commonwealth. They seek to hold youth accountable for their actions, while creating opportunities for sentenced, committed, probated, or detained youth to develop social and career skills, equipping them for re‑entry into communities. The department aims to provide life‑changing services resulting in the positive transformation of children, families, and communities.

This is a highly responsible position in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The employee is expected to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act responsibly, demonstrate leadership, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. The role requires maturity, reliability, and self‑discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.

Note:

While medical cannabis is legal in Kentucky, employees in this position are prohibited from using medical cannabis due to other state or federal laws.

• Provide professional counseling services to juveniles in residential, group home, day treatment, or detention facility settings.
• Conduct individual, group, and family counseling for assigned juveniles.
• Assist and recommend development of individual treatment plans.
• Conduct treatment team planning sessions.
• Participate in placement and discharge of juveniles.
• Assist juvenile service workers with reintegration of juveniles back to the community.
• Write progress notes, discharge summaries, charting summaries, and other administrative or treatment reports.
• Ensure treatment files are current and complete.
• Transport juveniles when necessary.
• Travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out‑of‑control juveniles.

Education: A master’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field.

Experience, Training, or

Skills:

None required.

Substitute Education for

Experience:

None.

Substitute Experience for

Education:

A bachelor’s degree plus one year of professional social work experience, or a bachelor’s degree in social work with successful completion of the Public Child Welfare Worker Certification Program, will substitute for the master’s degree.

Must furnish proof of a valid driver’s license within one month of employment and maintain required licensure, certification, or other credentials for the duration of employment.

Performs job duties in an office/facility setting or residential program and visits clients and/or families at their residence. Provides emergency services on a 24‑hour basis, including accepting referrals and completing investigations at any hour without prior warning. The role involves a risk of physical harm due to enforced intervention.

Initial and promotional probationary period of six months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

For questions about this advertisement, contact John Gillum lum or 606‑783‑8565.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D